In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. 2 This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. 3 Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. 4 Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. 5 He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant.6 While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom. 8 Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. 9 The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people.11 Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. 12 This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, 14 “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.” 15 When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” 16 They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. 18 Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. 20 The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told. (Luke 2:1-20, CEB)
Joseph and Mary had to make a long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, it is about 157 KM which is 97.5553 Miles. An easy drive, but a little bit of a walk. According to maps.google.com it is a 33 hour walk, so a few days journey. We do not know if this was an easy journey or a harsh one, but we can imagine being pregnant and not wed and having a lot of stuff against you, it wasn’t the most pleasant trip. And when they arrived they were not even able to find a place to stay comfortably and then the baby comes.
Is this really how God would step down from the throne to enter the world? By having the couple travel 33 hours to a town they can’t find a room in and wind up being born in a stable and laid to sleep in a manger? To have the first people that visit God be shepherds, which were lowly scum of the community?
God always makes a way and with God nothing is impossible. God went to greta lengths to show us love. God understands the evil we deal with and wants us to trust and have faith in the baby, that shows us to love, dies for us and rises to always be with us.
Know that the hope this baby brings us, is the hope that will vanquish all fear and evil. Jesus is the love of God made flesh and dwelling among us!
Praise God for the miracle of a savior born to us this day, that brings hope to push all fear away!
Love the Lord, as the Lord is loving you, and share that love in everything you do!
aSacredRebel 